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Steve Davis | profile | all galleries >> Projects >> Feeder Tree, April 2019 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Feeder Tree, April 2019

Many years ago, we built a frame around a trumpet vine in the backyard, using 3 yard timbers for the vertical supports. We called the combination our "feeder tree," though it was made of vine and boards. As the oak tree to its west grew to block the sun, the trumpet vine leaned farther and farther east to try to catch more light and its weight finally uprooted the old, rotting yard timbers, so I decided to build a new, sturdier "feeder tree."
These are the pieces that remained of the old feeder tree frame after I disassembled them. We had inserted some branches trimmed from trees in the yard to provide vertical support for the trumpet vine.
IMG_20190405_153908b.jpg

These are the pieces that remained of the old feeder tree frame after I disassembled them. We had inserted some branches trimmed from trees in the yard to provide vertical support for the trumpet vine.

I did not document the intermediate steps to get to this point. I used four 4 x 4 x 10' treated posts for the vertical supports and 2 x 4 treated boards for the horizontal and diagonal supports, fastening them all together with 3-1/2 exterior screws. I dug 1.5' holes for the vertical supports and packed the dirt back around them. I left space above the top horizontal supports to attach feeder hangers; the first hanger is in place in this photo.
IMG_20190405_153927_1b.jpg

I did not document the intermediate steps to get to this point. I used four 4" x 4" x 10' treated posts for the vertical supports and 2" x 4" treated boards for the horizontal and diagonal supports, fastening them all together with 3-1/2" exterior screws. I dug 1.5' holes for the vertical supports and packed the dirt back around them. I left space above the top horizontal supports to attach feeder hangers; the first hanger is in place in this photo.

I wrapped the horizontal supports and hangers around the vertical supports in an offset pattern, so I could attach each to the next, as well as to the vertical beams, for added strength. Here, I've added the last 3 hangers and hung feeders off them. I trimmed the trumpet vine before starting construction, but without a crane, there was no way to put the frame together beforehand and drop it over the vine. So, I measured distances between holes carefully and put sides of the frame together, put them in the ground and then attached them to each other.
IMG_20190405_170529b.jpg

I wrapped the horizontal supports and hangers around the vertical supports in an offset pattern, so I could attach each to the next, as well as to the vertical beams, for added strength. Here, I've added the last 3 hangers and hung feeders off them. I trimmed the trumpet vine before starting construction, but without a crane, there was no way to put the frame together beforehand and drop it over the vine. So, I measured distances between holes carefully and put sides of the frame together, put them in the ground and then attached them to each other.